Monday, February 25, 2013

"CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS" A HUNGER FILLED FAMILY DRAMA

Albert Einstein once said, "Insanilty is doing the same thing over and
over again and expecting a different result." It is too bad the Tate
family doesn't subscribe to that adage. Each member opens the
refrigerator door, sees it is empty and slams it shut,
only to open it one second or minute or hour later. They keep expecting
a miracle, for the food fairy to visit and bring groceries.

If that seems like strange behavior, the Tate clan has dozens more to
share and show off in the unusually disturbing Sam Shepard play "Curse
of the Starving Class" inhabiting the main stage of Long Wharf Theatre
in New Haven until Sunday, March 10. Billed
as a modern American classic, it pushes the buttons and envelopes as it
unveils the plethora of problems that plague these phobia-driven parents
and their pain-laced offspring.

As matriarch Ella Tate, Judith Ivey is wonderful, a mix of hopelessness
and elation, ready to grab any brass ring that may come her way as she
crazily rides the merry-go-round of life. In her out-of-control dizzy
journey, on a collision course with disaster,
she holds on for dear life. Her alcoholic husband Weston, captured
beautifully in all his delusions by Kevin Tighe, has managed to squander
and bankrupt the family's values and principles.

Now, when his poor choices are pouring through the family's non-existent
front door (that he broke in a drunken rage), the only hope to save
them all is the possibility of selling their rural California ranch.

Their children Wesley, played with a sardonic, despairing note by Pater
Albrink, and Emma, a rebellious yet hopeful Elvy Yost, are overwhelmed
by the burdens heaped upon them by their parents. Both Ella and Weston
each conceive the idea of selling the homestead
as the solution to all their problems, Ella working through a lawyer
(John Procaccino) and Wes dealing with a less-than-honorable saloon
owner (Clark Middleton) and his honcho (Ben Becher). Edie the lamb
provides a fuzzy bit of humor. Gordon Edelstein directs
this visceral stripping of a family unit with stark realism.

For tickets ($40-70), call Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven at 203-787-4282 or online at www.longwharf.org. Performances are

Follow the scheming and plotting that ensues as each of the Tates tries
to crawl a few inches ahead, to stave off his hunger and win a piece of
the American pie.